Family Visas

PARENT (Permanent) - subclass 103

This visa is for parents of children who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia or eligible New Zealand Citizens. Applicants must satisfy the balance of family test by showing that 50% of their children are permanently resident in Australia. The sponsoring child must be a settled resident of Australia, where "settled" refers to having resided in Australia for at least two years. In addition to sponsorship, an assurance of support is required, involving lodgment of a bond. Due to restricted numbers of places per year, there is a long queue for processing (at least ten years) and as an alternative, eligible parents may opt for a contributory arrangement (subclass 143).

CONTRIBUTORY PARENT (Permanent) - subclass 143

This visa has the same balance of family and sponsorship requirements as the subclass 103 parent visa. However, applicants pay a substantial second visa application charge of A$31,555 (£15,329) per parent, an amount that is updated on 1 July each year. Additionally, a ten year assurance of support is required where a bond of A$10,000 (£4858) for the principal applicant and A$4,000 (£1943) for the second adult is paid. As there are more places available than for the parent subclass 103,the processing time drops significantly.

CONTRIBUTORY PARENT (Temporary) - subclass 173

This is a two year temporary parent visa. The second visa application charge is less substantial, being A$18,935 (£9199) per person. There is no assurance of support requirement for this visa. The applicant can apply for a permanent 143 visa before the expiry of this visa, where the second visa application charge of A$12,625 (£6133) per person is then payable. The ten year assurance of support is also required where the bond of A$10,000 (£4858) for the principal applicant and A$4,000 (£1943) for the second adult is paid.

SPOUSE (Permanent) - subclass 100 / 801

This visa is designed for the partner (married or de facto) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who wishes to obtain permanent residence. The partnership must be genuine and stable, and the Australian partner must meet the requirements to sponsor their spouse or partner. This visa is generally granted in Australia, two years after applying for the temporary residence visa 309 (provisional partner). However, in some cases, the permanent visa is granted without first having a provisional visa. A de facto relationship is defined as not being legally married but being in a spouse-like or spouse-equivalent relationship. Evidence of the de facto relationship must be provided with the application, showing cohabitation for at least 12 months. Evidence covers several areas such as social, household and financial indicators and in all cases, the couple must show a mutual commitment to share life as a husband and wife, and provide evidence of a continuing relationship.

SPOUSE (Provisional) - subclass 309

This is a two year visa for partners (married or de facto partner) of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens who meet sponsorship requirements. The applicant has full work rights.

PROSPECTIVE SPOUSE (Temporary) - subclass 300

This visa is for people who are engaged to an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant must be outside Australia when the visa application is made. This temporary residence visa offer full work rights and the applicant and sponsor must marry within the visa's nine month validity period. The marriage can take place in or outside Australia, provided the marriage takes place after the applicant's first entry to Australia on the Prospective Marriage visa. Following the marriage and before the Prospective Marriage visa expires, the applicant can apply for a spouse visa that allows them to remain in Australia.

INTERDEPENDENCY VISA (Provisional subclass 310, Permanent subclass 110)

This visa operates in the same way as a spouse visa and applies to same-sex partnerships.

REMAINING RELATIVE (Permanent) - subclass 115

This visa is appropriate for people who have a sibling or parent (or step-equivalent) who is settled in Australia and is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant (and spouse, if applicable) cannot have any other brothers, sisters, parents (or step-equivalents) or non-dependent children other than those who are usually resident in Australia and are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. The applicant is sponsored by his or her Australian relative, and a two year assurance of support is required.

CHILD (Permanent) - subclass 101

This visa is for the natural dependent child (or in some cases the adopted or stepchild) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, who acts as the child's sponsor. The child must be aged under 25 years, but if 18 or older, he or she must be a full-time student and dependent on his or her parents. The only exception is where the child has a disability that stops them from working. The child must not be married, engaged to be married or in a de facto relationship.